We all belong to a family. Whether we are parents or children, we are all part of a family group. What makes our family strong? There are tangible strengths, such as physical and economic strengths. But there are also the intangible strengths, those that appeal to our soul. The character of the soul, of a living being, is defined by the sum of the values of that person. Faith, piety and love are virtues that, when exercised, produce in us values that strengthen our character.

The family as a fundamental pillar of society, has the non-transferable and inalienable function of giving it character, that is, moral values, ethics and principles have as a starting point the family, and this in turn becomes analogous to the church, which is the spiritual family par excellence. In it the function is also relative to its character, and this is determined by its Christocentric doctrine. This is why the responsibility to forge the character of Christ in the church comes. The character of the world around us is defined by the anti-values, which are diametrically opposed to those fostered by the church of Christ and which are based on the Word of God. The church propagates the truth, but in the world, lies are the resource at hand. Let us strengthen our inner life to forge the character of God in us! The world and its anti-values ​​besiege us and seek to know how fragile we are. This stops our spiritual character ... But the intimate relationship with God and submission to the lordship of Christ make us grow spiritually. When we talk about the character of the family we mean that our children are our projection, they inherited an inheritance in the flesh. What do we do to counter this? The Christocentric character of the family is the responsibility of the parents, not of the church. God wants our children to see it through us. ¿How are we doing?

The first principle that governs the formation of character is the fear of the Word of God. Let's not tire of talking to our children about the values ​​contained in the Bible! The family is not a game, it is a serious responsibility. The Word becomes alive in our hearts, and in our mouth IS Word of God. The people of God are those in whose heart the Scriptures are. Without the Word there are no values, and without values ​​there is no forge or character of God, there is no light but darkness. Let's talk to our children about the Word of God always. The call is to make a decision regarding the character we want to forge in our life, in our church and in our family. If our children do not have the values ​​of the Word or the character of God, they are highly vulnerable to the onslaught of this world. Psalm 91 speaks of a shield, which is nothing more than a retaining wall that protects us from the world, that is what the Word of God does! It's never too late to talk, it's never too late to turn to God!

For this reflection I have relied on some studies and preachings by Alejandro García, pastor of the Baptist Church "EL Trigal", in Valencia - Venezuela.-